Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has demanded a strong reaction from his players when they face Crystal Palace this Sunday, seeking to end a run of two consecutive defeats. The match at Selhurst Park is the final Premier League fixture before the November international break, with the Reds sitting fifth in the league table on 15 points.
Iraola said his team must go to south London and win the game, correcting issues that have led to recent setbacks. He pointed specifically to the need to be stronger defensively on set-pieces, an area where goals have been conceded. The manager stressed the importance of perspective, noting the team is not as bad as the last two results suggest, nor were they as good as they seemed during a previous positive run. He emphasised that the squad must manage its mood through the ups and downs of a long season.
Palace's resilient threat
Liverpool's task is complicated by a resilient Crystal Palace side, despite their 18th-place position. Iraola highlighted their never-say-die attitude, referencing their stoppage-time Europa League equaliser against Hoffenheim on Thursday, which they secured while playing with ten men. He identified several dangerous players in their squad, including Adam Wharton, Daichi Kamada, Yeremy Pino, and Quinten Timber. The manager also noted the compact nature of the Selhurst Park pitch, which can increase pressure quickly and make handling long balls and set-pieces difficult.
Liverpool's recent form shows two wins, one draw, and two defeats from their last five outings. The back-to-back losses came against Arsenal and Fenerbahçe, leaving them nine points adrift of the league leaders. Alexander Isak, the club's top scorer with six goals this season, found the net in the 3-2 midweek defeat in Turkey. The team has scored 11 goals and conceded nine in the league so far. A positive result is essential to head into the international break with momentum restored, the manager concluded.
First reported at google.com
